Tinamarie Vella Selected to ALA 2011 Emerging Leaders Program

Tinamarie Vella, librarian at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism Research Center, won the library profession’s highest award for emerging talent. As an ALA 2011 Emerging Leader, Ms. Vella is one of 83 promising young librarians from across the nation to be recognized for their potential for leadership and their contributions to the profession.

“Becoming an emerging leader will not only shape my professional career as a librarian,” says Ms. Vella, “it will be an opportunity to inspire myself and others to change the face of libraries. We will make a difference by extending ourselves beyond the walls of our own libraries.”

Ms. Vella has worked as access services manager at the J-School Research Center since September 2007. Working in a fast-paced news library, where she must respond quickly to a steady flow of research queries from journalists, has made her aware of how a rapidly changing media landscape is shaping the library and journalism fields. “Much like in journalism, new and emerging library professionals must think fast and adjust to a quickly changing world,” she says. “Working within both of these fields provides me with the unique insight to move forward and hone my skills for the future.”

Before coming to CUNY, Ms. Vella worked at the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development. Her other professional experience includes work for the Reading and Writing Center at Kingsborough Community College and the New York Society Library. She holds a master’s in library science from the Palmer School at Long Island University and another master’s in English from Brooklyn College.

The ALA Emerging leaders program provides winners with opportunities for leadership and professional development. At the ALA Midwinter Meeting in San Diego, the emerging leaders will attend leadership training with Maureen Sullivan, an award-winning organizational development consultant. More information about the Emerging Leaders program can be found at http://www.ala.org/ala/educationcareers/leadership/emerginingleaders/index.cfm.